England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been bought for £1.4m in the first round of bidding ahead of this year's Indian Premier League season.

Stokes, who was sold to Rising Pune Supergiant for a record £1.7m last year, has joined Rajasthan Royals this time round, and will join Australia captain Steve Smith after the Baggy Greens batsman went for £1.38m.

England test skipper Joe Root was one of three players to go unsold in the first round of bidding, alongside West Indies' Chris Gayle and South Africa's Hashim Amla.

The second and final auction begins on Sunday, with a total of 578 players up for grabs by the eight IPL franchises.

Stokes has been cleared to play by the ECB, despite awaiting a court appearance on February 13 after being charged with affray.